Arsenal are growing increasingly light in midfield with both injuries and international responsibilities lessening the number of options available to Mikel Arteta. The African Cup of Nations will see Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny leave to join up with their nations.
Granit Xhaka suffered a serious knee injury against Tottenham in the North London Derby and is expected to be out for Arsenal for approximately 3 months. A January return is a likely time frame for the 29-year-old.
Mikel Arteta spoke in his press conference about the progress that the Swiss international was making but ensured that expectations remain that he would be out for the majority, if not the remaining part, of the year.
However, Arteta could be without Elneny permanently due to an agreement struck with Galatasaray according to Turkish outlet Fanatik. The report claims that the Egyptian has agreed terms with the struggling side and that work on a deal with Arsenal is the next step.
Should Elneny depart, this would leave Arsenal yet another man down in central midfield. Yet to be eliminated from any cup competition despite no European involvement, Arteta may want to strengthen earlier than expected.
Football.london understands that a midfielder has remained high on the priority list since the summer.
Arsenal were linked with multiple moves for targets in 2021 but eventually, Xhaka’s contract renewal and the pursuit of Martin Odegaard, Aaron Ramsdale and Takehiro Tomiyasu led to them delaying any possible move.
Sambi Lokonga was added to the midfield roster and has impressed but at just 21 years of age, there is much pressure on him to deliver almost immediately. Edu has wanted to blend youth with world-class experience with his transfer policy.
Having signed six 23 and under players in the summer, it points towards the senior quality addition to come next. Replacing Elneny with a player who could compete with Xhaka and Partey for a starting spot would set Arsenal in the right direction.
The most recent link to a central midfielder has been Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain but he neither falls into the youth or world-class category at present. Jack Wilshere is training with the club but there are no signs of a deal being offered to the former Arsenal man.
January is set to be an intriguing month for both outgoings and increasingly the incomings as well.
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